Otters to cheer you up today

February 20, 2013 1:34 PM

Corbin Whitney of Prundale is mesmerized by an African spotted-necked otter swimming at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif.

Corbin Whitney of Prundale is mesmerized by an African spotted-necked otter swimming at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif.

Photo: PAUL CHINN, SFC

Corbin Whitney of Prundale is mesmerized by an African... Photo-4223748.57115 - Times Union

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A group of otters partake in the Santa Barbara Zoo's annual Thanksgiving Day Pumpkin Squash.

A group of otters partake in the Santa Barbara Zoo's annual Thanksgiving Day Pumpkin Squash.

Photo: Sarah Varsik

A group of otters partake in the Santa Barbara Zoo's annual... Photo-4223789.57115 - Times Union

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In this May 8, 2012 photo provided the Wildlife Conservation Society, three North American river otter pups huddle together at the Prospect Park Zoo in New York. The trio were born in February at the zoo in February and according to the Wildlife Conservation Society, who manages the zoo, are the first North American river otters born in a New York City zoo or aquarium since 1956. less

In this May 8, 2012 photo provided the Wildlife Conservation Society, three North American river otter pups huddle together at the Prospect Park Zoo in New York. The trio were born in February at the zoo in ... more

Photo: Julie Larsen Maher, Associated Press

In this May 8, 2012 photo provided the Wildlife Conservation... Photo-4223790.57115 - Times Union

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In this photo taken by the U.S. Geological Survey and provided by the California Department of Fish and Game, a sea otter holds her pup at Seacliff State Beach near Aptos, Calif., on, Sept. 10, 2012. The sea otter, known as Olive, has amazed researchers by becoming the first sea otter not only to survive a dunking in oil but then also go on to deliver a healthy pup. less

In this photo taken by the U.S. Geological Survey and provided by the California Department of Fish and Game, a sea otter holds her pup at Seacliff State Beach near Aptos, Calif., on, Sept. 10, 2012. The sea ... more

Photo: Joe Tomoleoni, Associated Press

In this photo taken by the U.S. Geological Survey and provided by... Photo-4223791.57115 - Times Union

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This undated image provided by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation shows Toola. Toola lived to be 15 or 16.

This undated image provided by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation shows Toola. Toola lived to be 15 or 16.

One of Edinburgh Zoo's short clawed otter pups ventures out in their enclosure on October 3, 2012 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

One of Edinburgh Zoo's short clawed otter pups ventures out in their enclosure on October 3, 2012 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Photo: Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images

One of Edinburgh Zoo's short clawed otter pups ventures out in... Photo-4223793.57115 - Times Union

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Alaskan sea otter 'Yutan' swims as he holds a heart-shaped pice of ice given to him by his keeper at the aquarium at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise amusement park in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo, on February 11, 2013.

Alaskan sea otter 'Yutan' swims as he holds a heart-shaped pice of ice given to him by his keeper at the aquarium at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise amusement park in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo, on February 11, 2013.

An Asian small-clawed river otter carries a jack o'lantern that was filled with food in San Diego, California in this publicity photo from Sea World San Diego.

An Asian small-clawed river otter carries a jack o'lantern that was filled with food in San Diego, California in this publicity photo from Sea World San Diego.

Photo: HO, REUTERS

An Asian small-clawed river otter carries a jack o'lantern... Photo-4223795.57115 - Times Union

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North American River Otters at CuriOdyssey.

North American River Otters at CuriOdyssey.

Photo: Graham Paterson

North American River Otters at CuriOdyssey. Photo-4223796.57115 - Times Union

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A North American river otter forages for food in the new otter enclosure during a sneak peak of the new American Trail at the Smithsonian National Zoo August 29, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The zoo has two North American river otters, 13-year-old brothers Konrad and Niko, that where were born at the Lowry Park Zoo in January 1999. less

A North American river otter forages for food in the new otter enclosure during a sneak peak of the new American Trail at the Smithsonian National Zoo August 29, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The zoo has two North ... more

Photo: Allison Shelley, Getty Images

A North American river otter forages for food in the new otter... Photo-4223797.57115 - Times Union

From left, month-old otters Takoda, Etu and Rose, wait to be examined by a veterinarian in their night house at the Oakland Zoo on Thursday, March 22, 2012 in Oakland, Calif. Two males and a female otter were born to Ginger and dad Heath at the zoo on Feb. 18. less

From left, month-old otters Takoda, Etu and Rose, wait to be examined by a veterinarian in their night house at the Oakland Zoo on Thursday, March 22, 2012 in Oakland, Calif. Two males and a female otter were ... more

In a photo provided by the Detroit Zoo, one of three new North American river otters dives in the pool on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, Mich. The pups were born March 20 to 9-year-old mother Whisker and 6-year-old father Lucius. less

In a photo provided by the Detroit Zoo, one of three new North American river otters dives in the pool on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, Mich. The pups were born March 20 to 9-year-old ... more

Photo: Mark M. Gaskill, Associated Press

In a photo provided by the Detroit Zoo, one of three new North... Photo-4223803.57115 - Times Union

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Canadian sea otters swim on June 5, 2012 in the zoo of Amneville in eastern France.

Canadian sea otters swim on June 5, 2012 in the zoo of Amneville in eastern France.

Photo: JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN, AFP/Getty Images

Canadian sea otters swim on June 5, 2012 in the zoo of Amneville in... Photo-4223805.57115 - Times Union

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Roland Marcum watches one of the otters at the Gulf Breeze Zoo in Gulf Breeze, Florida on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013.

Roland Marcum watches one of the otters at the Gulf Breeze Zoo in Gulf Breeze, Florida on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013.

Photo: Devon Ravine, Associated Press

Roland Marcum watches one of the otters at the Gulf Breeze Zoo in... Photo-4223806.57115 - Times Union

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One of two new baby river otters swims in the otter exhibit at the Oakland Zoo on Wednesday May 4, 2011 in Oakland, Calif.

One of two new baby river otters swims in the otter exhibit at the Oakland Zoo on Wednesday May 4, 2011 in Oakland, Calif.

Photo: Mike Kepka, The Chronicle

One of two new baby river otters swims in the otter exhibit at the... Photo-4223807.57115 - Times Union

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A pair of Asian short-clawed otters playfully wrestle with each other at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif.

A pair of Asian short-clawed otters playfully wrestle with each other at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif.

A River Otter named Sutro Sam by local biologists feeds on a fish he caught at the Sutro Baths on December 30, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif.

A River Otter named Sutro Sam by local biologists feeds on a fish he caught at the Sutro Baths on December 30, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Sean Havey, The Chronicle

A River Otter named Sutro Sam by local biologists feeds on a fish... Photo-4223810.57115 - Times Union

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In this January 3, 2009 file photograph, a California Sea Otter basks in the sun in the Moss Landing Harbor.

In this January 3, 2009 file photograph, a California Sea Otter basks in the sun in the Moss Landing Harbor.

Photo: Vern Fisher, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

In this January 3, 2009 file photograph, a California Sea Otter... Photo-4223811.57115 - Times Union

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In this Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 photo, an otter peeks out from underneath a driftwood log at Faye Bainbridge Park in Bainbridge Island, Wash.

In this Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 photo, an otter peeks out from underneath a driftwood log at Faye Bainbridge Park in Bainbridge Island, Wash.

Photo: MEEGAN M. REID, Associated Press

In this Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 photo, an otter peeks out from... Photo-4223812.57115 - Times Union

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One of Edinburgh Zoo's short clawed otter pups tackles some food in the enclosure on October 3, 2012 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The five otters are from the smallest otter species in the world and the pups born to mum Elena and Dad Ray are around 10 weeks old now, and are their third litter since arriving at the zoo. A native to Southeast Asia, this particular otter will weigh just 3.5kg when fully grown. These water loving animals are known for their extremely agile, hand-like front paws that are complete with short claws giving these otters their name. Using these dexterous paws they can easily tackle a variety of prey, including crabs, snails, molluscs, small fish and insects. Like other otter species they use their strong rudder-like tail to navigate and propel them through the water. less

One of Edinburgh Zoo's short clawed otter pups tackles some food in the enclosure on October 3, 2012 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The five otters are from the smallest otter species in the world and the pups born to ... more